Old Forgotten Ways

I am doing research for a chapter in my book titled “Old Forgotten Ways,” as suggested last month by @Intplm. I can't think of enough to fill an entire chapter, so I am looking for ideas. Perhaps I will need to open this up to more than just electrical-themed procedures, like for instance the story Dan told about moving orifices in radiator valves on a gravity system when adding a circulator pump (with Dan's permission, of course).

I will give full credit in the text to each credible idea that I receive that gets into the book. Thanks in advance. This was my first thought when I heard that suggestion.

When I was a wee lad and Dad brought me to work on a Saturday, My job was to sweep the yard and empty the trash cans.  I was able to meet the different employees and I remember a service technician named Howard Levy (pronounced Lee Vee) who had an index finger that was partially missing.   Howard would test the electricity on a control or in a light socket with the index finger stump by touching the metal conductor.  If he did not feel the current tingle on his finger, then he would put his finger in his mouth to get it wet for a better connection, and try again.  

“Yep the switch is on. Can you go over there and shut the switch off so I can work on this control wiring?”

Well have at it…